When life is good, and everything’s going your way, has anyone ever said to you, “Wow, you must be living right”, or, “You have all the luck"? Rabbit’s feet, horseshoes, salt over the shoulder, “find a pin and pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck”. How about rubbing the chubby tummy of a smiling Buddha statue for good luck?

There are those who treat God and their faith as if they are lucky charms. They presume that if they do everything right, if they follow the rules and rituals, if they absolutely believe what they are taught and never deviate or doubt, and if they are perfect Do-Bees,* then God will bless them with good luck. There will be no difficulties. Prosperity will come. Parking spaces and love will be easily found. Laundry will never shrink. The sun will shine on their days off. All troubles will end!

The trouble comes when this plan fails, which it will. God is not a lucky charm. Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus never mentioned treasure, or good, were a result of faith.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, be with us when trouble comes. Point our hearts toward Heaven, and thanks for being there. Amen.

Here's a Thought: Faith stores treasure in Heaven.

Source: Matthew 6:19-21 NRSV

*Note: Mr. Do Bee was a recurring character on the Romper Room children’s show. Mr. Do-Bee, an oversized bumblebee, taught the children proper deportment; for example, "Do Bee good boys and girls for your parents!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romper_Room